Weft replenishing apparatus for weaving looms



s p 2, 19752 H. J. COOPER 2,609,008

WEFT REPLENISHING APPARATUS FOR WEAVING LOOMS I Filed Feb. 28', 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Henry James Coolur W EPSMJTA... EB mLIh'J Afformy.

Sept. 2, 1952 H. J. COOPER WEFT REPLENISHING APPARATUS FOR WEAVING LOOMS Filed Feb. 28, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 l/YVE/Y 70 James 6007181 /Is my M Attorney.

I In:

Sept. 2, 1952 H. J. COOPER 2,609,003

WEFT REPLENISHING APPARATUS FOR WEAVING LOOMS Filed Feb. 28, 1951 Y a Sheets-Sheet 4 nwi/vrofi Hanry James Cooker har mzh v wwk M ikmkmat Ai'l'ornsy.

p 2, 1952 H. J. COOPER WEFT REPLENISHING APPARATUS FOR WEAVING LOOMS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 28, 1951 r N WC mm m J Q q H Filed Feb. 28; 1951 Sept. 2, 1952 HQJ. COOPER 2,609,008

WEFT REPLENISH ING APPARATUS FOR WEAVING LOOMS B SheetS-Sheet 6 [NYE/V703 Hem 1T ames Cooker Fermm m 5309mm Attorney.

S p 2, 1952 H. J. COOPER 2,609,008

WEFT REPLENISHING APPARATUS FOR WEAVING LUOMS Filed .Feb. 28, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Fig.7.

. INVENTO'R Hem-3' James Cooker TLEI JMA NM SW SE m Attorney.

Sept. 2, 1952 H. .1. COOPER 2,609,008 WEFT REPLENISHING APPARATUS FOR wmvmc LOOMS Filed Feb. 23,1951 8 sheets-sheet a- Henry James Cooper Attorney Patented Sept. 2, 1952 WEFT REPLENISHING APPARATUS FOR WEAVING LOOMS Henry James Cooper, Stockpcrt, England Application February 28, 1951, Serial No. 213,247 In Great Britain March 15, 1950 18 Claims. (Cl. 139224) This invention relates to weft replenishing apparatus for weaving looms wherein shuttles travel circularly in a unidirection.

According to the said invention a weft replenishing apparatus for weaving looms wherein shuttles travel circularly in a unidirection has weft coilers each of which is driven along a circular path and during its movement comes into regis ter with and, whilst in register, travels at the same speed as a shuttle, coils of weft being slipped from the coiler and received by the shuttle whilst the coiler and shuttle are in motion.

Where the loom operates with a radial warp, the axis of the circular path of the coilers preferably is radial to the axis or an extension of the axis of the circular path of the shuttles and each coiler at the moment of registration with a shuttle is immediately above a weft carrier provided on the shuttle, whereby the weft coils can be slipped downwards on to the weft carrier whilst the coiler and shuttle are travelling along their paths.

The weft carrier and coiler are preferably made to be engagement one partly within the other at the moment that the weft coils are slipped on to the weft carrier, to maintain full control of the coils during the whole period of the slipping operation.

A coiler rotating mechanism is provided for rotating each coiler whilst moving along its circular path before it arrives in register with a shuttle, in order to wind coils of weft on to itself for replenishing a shuttle with weft.

A coiler decelerating, stopping and accelerating mechanism is provided preferably for varying the speed and causing stoppage of the coiler along its circular path in order to facilitate the feeding of weft thereto, and if necessary, to give it a greater speed than a rotor driving it during the period of registration with a shuttle.

A weft gripping device is preferably provided for each coiler for gripping the leading end of a supply of weft preparatory to the coiler coiling some of the supply on to itself.

A weft presenting, guiding and holding mechanism is preferably provided for presenting the leading ends of supplies of weft to the coilers, guiding the weft as it is coiled on the coilers, and holding each weft at a point remote from its leading end until it'has been woven into the warp.

The weft presenting, guiding and holding mechanism may have series of devices for presenting to each coiler any weft of different weft supplies and guiding and holding the presented weft until a portion thereof has been woven into the warp. p

A feed mechanism may also be provided which takes the leading end of the presented weft from the presenting, guiding and holding mechanism and feeds it to a gripping device provided on the coiler.

Each weft coiler may have an annular row of prongs on which the weft coils are wound, and a pusher which operates to rotate the row of prongs and to push the coils along until they have slipped off the row of prongs in order to feed them to the carrier on the shuttle.

The prongs may be adjustable to change the diameter of the annular row of prongs.

The annular rows of prongs may be made rotatable about its own axis by the provision of a sleeve which is rotated by means of a gear. wheel meshing constantly with an annular row of stationary teeth and can, by the action of a stationary cam, be connected to the pusher which is slidable relative to the annular row of prongs and adapted to rotate it about its own axis.

A coupling part may be provided on the pusher to effect a driving connection between the'sleeve and the pusher when in operative position and lock the pusher against rotation when displaced from its operative position.

The coiler may have gripper jaws adapted to grip the leading end of a weft supply, one gripper jaw being on a spring loaded part associated with the annular row of prongs and the other jaw on the pusher to grip the yarn between them and maintain their grip whilst the pusher performs a portion of its pushing movement, and lose their grip by separation during the last stage of the said pushing movement.

The displacement of the pusher by the "stationary cam to disconnect the drive thereof from the sleeve may be effected through levers, whilst a spring or cam may return the pusher;

Stationary cams are provided which act indirectly on each coiler so as to cause each of its journeys round its circular path to be temporarily stopped once whilst the coupling is shifted into the driving position, and temporarily stopped a second time whilst the coupling is shifted into the non-driving position prior to the transfer of the weft yarn coils to the shuttle.

The cams which effect temporary stoppage of the coiler along its stationary path and initiate the coiling rotation of the coiler may be adjustable to enable the length of weft wound on by the coiler to be varied.

In order that the said invention may be fully understood and more readily carried into practice, the accompanying drawing illustrate diagrammatically a constructional example. In the drawings- Figure 1 is a plan view indicating the disposition of the replenishing mechanism relative to other parts of the loom.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of parts of the said mechanism.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section taken on part of line 3-3 of Figure 2, of parts of.the said mechanism.

FigureAzqis aifragmentary plan view ofpparts of the said mechanism.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary rear view of a part of the said mechanism regarded in the direction of the arrow I34 of Figure 3, parts of the figure being in section and a part which is shown-in section being on a line corresponding with.line '5-5 of Figure 6.

Figure 6 is a side view in section of 'Flgure5. Figures 5 and 6 are both drawn to alarger scale than Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 7 is detachedlside view in section taken ..online 1-! of Figure 8.

Figure 8 is a" fragmentary rear elevation illusrtrating. .a .detail. Figures 7 and .8 are 'drawn to a larger scale than. Figures 1 to.4.

ilFligureLQLis. a fragmentary side view partly in .lsection'takennn a. line corresponding to line"9-9 :JGLFiguIe 10 and FisureIlOzis a. -plan View in section taken'on line. liI lLoflFigure; 9.

' Flgurelllisafragmentary;side view insection sand 'F!igure. l2 is-.a..plan view .of another .detail -.,which.,can. be .seen.in.side view; but 'drawn'to a smaller, scale. and .not ..in section,. in? Figure I 3.

I Figures. 9 to..1 2 .areldrawnto a'llarger, scalelthan .Jfigures 1.to .4, and

.lligure .13 a is a rear .view .in. section showing -anotherwdetail. whichcan beseenin side viewlbut .lincsection and .drawn l to a smaller .scale in.. Figmrefi.

Referringto the .drawings, "in. the...construction a-shown therein, .as applied by way "of .example to a loom wherein shuttles I move round acircu- .clar. course .througha radial warp having a gap Jawhich. exposes each shuttle I once. during each -.-.revolution, afstationary. stand 3, is providedlon tthe loom :atlthegap 2 and has rotatably. mounted -.-in:: it.-1axmainshaft :4 which projects from ,the .-;-;stand.';3:.across theycourse of-theshuttles Lat a rdistanceabove the-same and is radialltothe axis 1=-5.of l-the*said course. The main shaft 4-.isabove the gap 2 and the course ofthe circulanshuttles rkandvzextendsthrough astationary-part 6..of the .astand .-.3 ..-in which .i it :is journalled. .The .main 'sshaft .42 has? armainrdisc-l.secured to. it andtherefore rotatedqbyr it. Rockershaftslil, for. example ten,-.=are-- rotatably. mountedron' the 7 main. disc I ini-a circular row with their axes parallel with jtthe: axis .oflthez main shaft 4. and spacedguniform 'Jdistances apart around the mainvdisc- I. A rocker armwtis fixed. oneeach rocker: shaft -8. at one. side so! thesmain=- disc ''I :andhas two studs provided ":with .two: rollers 'II] and :II respectively. Each roller I0 isacted onbyza. stationary inner-speed .-.control cam I2 andeachroller I I-by a stationary router speed control cam .13. A,.rocker. .arm I4 .is. fixed: on .eachrocker. shaft .at ,theother, side ;.of;.the. main disc].

Main arms I whose number .equals thatof .the rocker shafts 8 are mounted side by side on "fthemainshaft4 at'the last named side of the disc "I so as'tobe'free'to rotate independently "oi" themain shaft 4 and are bent-where-necessary *so 'thattheir ends" are all in a common plane which is at right angles to the axis of the main "vl'ded'on' it. Forthe sakepf'claritythe coilers I6 and their .associated parts are shown-only'conventionally in'Figures 1 and 2, andj'irr some "detail inl igures 5 and 6. The main"armsiI5-are-sev erallyconnected-by-pivotal links I 'I to the rocker arms I4 so that actuation of each rocker arm I4 by .theustationarylirmer. and. outer cams I2 2 and I3 acting through therollers I02 and l I causes angular displacement of each main arm I5 and -5 .its coiler I6 relative to the main disc I.

The main shaft 4 is connected by gearing (not showmuto. theiloom drive so that, assuming the shuttles I to travel in anticlockwise direction, ...the.main shaft4, regarded in the direction of the arrow "I8, Figure l, rotates also in anti- ;clockwisefiirection, and therefore the coilers I6 and main arms I5 are driven through the main disc'I, rocker shafts 8, rocker arms I4 and pivotal links I! also in anticlockwise direction when the main arms I5 are in motion. The coilers I6therefore'revolve'about the axis'of the main shaft 4-in' the direction of the arrow' I 9, Figure 2, Whilst the shuttles-I'travel-in the direction-of :the arrow 20.

"Each-coiler I6-hasasleeve 2|, Figure 6, which "is-rotatably'mountedand theaxis of which'is" in "the said plane. The projecting end-of the sleeve "2I'has'a toothed'bevel'wheel 22 which is in 'con- *stant mesh' with'a ring having'a circular-row oifibevel: crown teeth "23 and provided on the-sta- "tionary stand '3. Revolution 'of 'the coilers I6 about .the axis 'of the 'main shaft 4 "therefore causes the sleeves '2I to berotated about their own axes by the' action of the stationary teeth 23 on the-toothed bevelwheelsj'2 2.

Each sleevei2l has an annular "external'row of coupling'lugs'24. A hollow shaft25 extends into the'sleeve 2 I "which is; rotatable "independently of the shaft'2 5. -A rod;26 is slidable' in the ,hollow shaftQ25 andhas'aibell 21 which'isprovided with anannular' internal row of coupling .lugs 28 adapted to cooperate with .the lugs.

' The bell "21- .also has an "annular external row of locking'lugs 29 a daptedto'cooperate with'an annular internal row of'locking' lugs 30..provided on the coiler I6. .The hollow.shaft i25 projects outwardly beyond the sleeve 2l and' hasat" its ,outer end a circular flange 3|. .on which there is a ring32 which can slide on but must'rotate with thefflange ill. The ring'has spaced jaws 33.and .is acted on 'by compression springs 34. The flange 3| has a skirt'35 having an annular rowiof spaced prongs 36. 'Jaws"'31 slide in the-gaps between the. prongs "36 and register with the jaws 5 33. Thejaws31 are provided on a dished disc '38 which is connected to the shaft 26. The shaft .26 is connected'to a head'39 which has aswivel ,piece 40..connected by apivotal link 4| to a lever 42 pivotallyconnected at'43 to the main arm 5 I5. .Itisonlthe row of. prongsi36that theweft is. coiled. by rotation of the flange .3I and there- .forethe skirt.35.

The rod 26, disc 38 and jaws 31 form a driving connection-between .the bell 21 .and the row of .prongs .36. In the shownxaxial position of the .bell 21, the lugs 29 thereof. engage withthe lugs 30 whichlthereforelock the bell 21, rod 26,. disc 38, jaws 31, row.of prongsi36, flange3 I, and hollow .shaftl25 againstrotation about their ownaxes,

05 notwithstanding the rotation of the sleeve'2l and .its lugs-24- by the rolling of the wheel 22 along the row of teethi23 as the main arm rotates. about -the axis of. the main shaft 4. The drawings show the coiler coupling parts in the uncoupled position'and therefore-rotation'of the rowof prongs'36 interrupted. Whenthe bell 21 is displacedin axial direction into a position where its lugs!!! are"'disengagedfrom the locking lugs 30-and its lugs-28am engaged with the1ugs'24, the bell21 '76 *andtherefore'therow of prongs :38 are in a state of driven connection with the driven sleeve 'ZI and rotation of'the row of prongs about its own 3|; around the axis of the main shaft 4, rotation of therow of prongs 36 aboutits own axis is interrupted for a period during which the weft coiled on to the row of prongs 36 by the said rotation can he slid oil the row of prongs 36 so that the coiled weft arrives on one of the shuttles I. The interruption of rotation of the row of prongs 36 about its own axis which endures whilst the coils are slid thereoff is initiated by a stationary uncoupling cam 44, see particularly Figures 7 and 8, associated with the stand 3 and actuating a slide 45 through rollers 46 on the slide 45 which is slidable inwardsand outwards on the main disc I. Each slide 45 has a short rib 41, see particularly Figure 6, which acts on a slide 48 through rollers 49; provided on the slide 48. The interposition of the slide '45 with its short rib 4'! ensures a prolonged actuation and control of the slide 48 by the short rib when the main arm I5 is stationary relative to the cam 44, but the main disc "I is in rotation relative to the main arm [5 as will hereinafter more clearly appear. The slide 48 is connected by a pivotal link 50 to the lever 42 and therefore controls the axial position of the bell 21 and the jaws 31 under the actions of the cam 44 and short rib 41. Prior to the start of coiling of weft on to the row of prongs 36, the cam 44 holds the slide 45 and therefore the slide 48 in a position where the link 50 holds the row of prongs 36 against rotation about its own axis and the jaws 31in the out-thrust position shown in Figures 5 and 6. To commence coiling of weft its leading end is brought between the row of jaws 33 and the row of jaws 31 by a mechanism and in a manner hereinafter described so that it can be gripped between any one conveniently situated jaw 33 and its registering jaw 31. After the end has been gripped rotation of the row of prongs 36 can be commenced in order to. Wind the desired length of weft thereon. The said end is gripped by closing the registering jaw 31 on to its fellow jaw 33. The closing is effected whilst the coiler I6 is momentarily notrotating about the axis of the main shaft 4. The momentary non-rotation is produced by cam I3 rocking the respective arm 9 inwards and thereby rotating the respective main arm I5 rearwards relative to the forwardly rotating main disc I. Whilst the main arm I5 is stationary, the rollers 46 of the slide 45 which is on the rotating main disc I are acted on by the stationary cam 44 so as to cause the slide 45 to move a short distance inwards and thereby also cause the slide 48 on the momentarily stationary main arm I5 to move inwards and by its action through the link 56, lever 42, link 4|, swivel piece 46, head 39, rod 26 and disc 38 to raise the jaws 31' until one of them has forcedthe weft end against the registering jaw 33 and the weft end is gripped between the two jaws. This stoppage ofthe main arm I5 is caused always at the same point at each revolutionand is due to the lift 5|, Figure 8, of the camv I3.

The inward. movement of the jaws .31 ceases before the lugs 29 become disengaged from the lugs 30 and therefore thebell 21 remains locked against unwanted rotation of the row of prongs 36 'until it is desired tostart coiling at a moment which will give exactly the required or desired lengthof coiled weft, for transfer to a shuttle I. The coiling of the weft 'whose end is gripped betweenajaw 33 and'a jaw 31 is initiated by the cam 44 after the main arm I5 has been stopped temporarily by the action of the lift 52 of the cam I3 acting on the arm'9. During this second stoppage of the arm and therefore the coiler, the continued movement of the main disc "I carries the rollers 46 along the cam 44 and the lift 53 causes the slide 45 to move a further stage inwards. This movement is transferred via the slide 48 to the bell 2? which moves sufliciently to disengage its lugs 23 from the lugs 30 and engage its lugs 26 with the lugs 24' of the sleeve 2|. Because, notwithstanding the continuous rotation of the main disc I, the main arm I5 is momentarily stopped, the wheel 22 of the coiler of the said main arm does not rotate and therefore the disengagement of the lugs 23 and 30 and engagement of the lugs 24 and 28 takes place whilst none of those parts is in rotation and therefore quietly, with ease and without jarring. The jaws 31 are moved inwards a further stage by the described motion. The movement of the laws 31 is not obstructed by the jaws 33 because the ring which carries the jaws 33 is pushed inwards against the action of the springs 34 whilst the jaws maintain their grip on the weft end. When the main arm I5 resumes its rotation, the wheel 22 rolls on the teeth 23 and therefore the row of prongs 36 is rotated about its own axis until a fall in the cam 44 operates through the slides 45 and 48 to return them outwards to their initial positions shown in Figure 6. When the jaws 31 are in their innermost position they leave a substantial portion of the prongs36 exposed beyond the outer side of the said jaws. A stationary guide rail 54, Figures 2 and 3, guides the weft on to the said exposed portion and the weft is therefore wound into coils on'the said portion in preparation for transference to a shuttle I. The transference occurs after the required or desired length of weft has been coiled on' the coiler and takes place as follows: Each empty shuttle emerges from the warp and travels into the gap 2, where, due to rotation of the main arms I5, it is met by one of the coilers I6 carrying on its row of prongs 36 coils of weft. The coiler'and shuttle meet at the same speed and there is a moment whilst the coiler is exactly over the shuttle although both are travelling along their respective paths. The transfer of weft coilsfrom the prongs 36 to-the shuttle occurs at the said moment. The This is with a coiler I6 and engaging loosely the dished disc 38 from below so that there is an overlap between the row of prongs 36 and the bobbin 55 or post which ensures that control of the coils shall not be lost during the transfer which takes place at and about the time that the coiler is travelling along the lowermost part of its path.

Before the coiler reachesthis point a fall on the cam 44 acts on the slides 45 and 48 to restore the jaws 3'! to the hereinbefore described intermediate position in which they grip the weft end but do not displace the ring 32 and in which the drive of the row of prongs 36 is interrupted at the lugs 24 whilst the said row of prongs 36 is held against accidental rotation by engagement of the lugs 29 with the lugs 36. The intermediate position is reached after the required or-desired amount of weft has been coiled on theprongs 36 and before-the coiler and shuttle arrive-in mutual registration. A further or continued fall in the cam 44 which moves the slides 45 and 48 still further to effect movement of thejaws 31 outwards, is effected sothat they arrive in the shown position at the moment. of the 1 said registration. This outward-movement of the jaws 3 1 causesethe said jaws toisweeptthe weft coils outwards or downwards completely off the .row :of' prongs, 36 so that theyrfall :from 'the coiler on to the bobbin '55 or :ipostirbefore the :coiler and shuttle are separated by their continuing vmotion along their different paths.

The stoppage of the main arm [5 by means of the :cam I3 is effected without interrupting the rotation of the rotary imaindisc 1, bycausing the Tockerrarm 9 .t rock inwards and by its action through the rockershaft 8, arm l4 and link to :cause the mainarm [5 to revolve about the axis of the-mainshaft 4 inireversedirection to the directionof :notationof the mainldisc vI but at the same .speed aszthe main disc 1. These movements at the :same :speed but in reverse direction cancel "each other out and the main arm l5 therefore ceases torevolverounditheaxis of the main shaft Azand the wheel .22 therefore ceases to -roll on the :ring of stationary crown bevel teeth '23 and the sleeve 2 I consequently ceases momentarily to be rotated about its own axis. The cam l2 may operate in the reverse manner to accelerate the {motion of the main arm l5 so that it travels at itsfastest speedwhilst the transfer of coils takes :place, and :at axslower speed or speeds :at other times, which is advantageous inthat the performance of theother "operations in preparation for :the transfer takes place relatively more leisurely and therefore with increased certainty of result. .After the operation of disengaging of the bell 12111130111 the lugs 24 and engaging of the bell '2] with the lugs 30 has been effected, the rocker arm 19 comes :under the action of a lift on the inner :speed control cam 12 which rocks it outwards and thereby rotates the main arm l5 relative to the main disc 1 in the same direction in which the :maindisc 1 is rotating and the speed jof rotation of the main arm l5 about the axis of themain shaft 4 is therefore at the moment :greater than the speed of rotation of the main -disc. .At that moment the linear speed of the row-of prongs 36 is equal to the linear speed of the shuttle and it is at that moment that registration of the rowof prongs 36 with the shuttle occurs. By this acceleration of the speed of revolution to a speed greater than that of :the main .disc and therefore the main shaft the uniform and :uninterrupted speed of .the main disc and main shaft can be slower than otherwise-would .=beznecessary to-obtain an equal speed of the row .-of-prongsand-the shuttlewat the moment. of dischargeof the weft thread from the prongs, which is advantageous to theefficient operation of the weft replenishing mechanism.

It is impossible for the coils to slip accidentally between the outer'vends of the-prongs 36 and the ,bobbin'55or postorbecome twisted when slid off the prongs 36. ,As-the jaws 3'! push the'coils to then-ends of the prongs 36, they leave the jaws 33 and therefore they release the Weft .end so that it istransferred with the coils to the bobbin 55 or postonthe shuttle.

Following thetransfer of the charge of weft coils from the prongs .36 to the shuttle, which 'leaves'the row of prongs ,36 empty of weft thread, a fresh charge of wefttcoils is coiled thereon ready ifor-transfertin'lts turn. As a preliminary to coiling each coiler ispresented with the leadingend of a weft supply by the following mechanism:

Each'coiler 16 :has a hollow feed arm 56 on a shaft -5'1, see Figures'5-and 6, journalled in lugs '38 'so as to be*free-to rotate therein. To swing the arm-56 from the-giving position shown in full 5 shown in dot-and-dash lines and baclcagaininto the giving position, the shaft 51 has a spprwheel .59 acted on. by a spur rack'60 which is provided on a spring-loaded -ro d -6I :slidably mounted in the side of the coiler I6 and therefore rotating therewith round the axis of the mainshaf-t 4. The end of the rod 6| is exposed to the action .of a stationary annular cam 62 provided on the "stand 3 andhaving a nose 63, Figure vv8 which .acts,asthe main arm l5 revolves, :to displace the 'rod axially against its spring load and thereby rotate the wheel to swing the arm 56 into the taking position where it takes the leading .endiof "a weft supplyrheldyout to it at a-pick-up station 64,1Figures 1 to 3. Toienable-the-arm 56 to take the presentedileading weft end, it has -.a jaw .65 which cooperates with a pivotal jaw '66 pivoted at 61 and connected pivotally at 68 to azrod 169 which is slidable axially in the feed armrand is bent at 1:0 to clear the shaft 51 and has an end H on which a relatively stationary cam "12 operates to open the pivotal jaw 66 as the arm-arrives in the taking position. There also a relatively stationary cam "which again opens the jaw 66 as the arm 56 arrives in the giving position. A tension sprin 14 connected to the arms :56 and Eat the rod 69 by a lug16 on the rod 69 closes the jaw 66 and keeps it closed when the cams 12 and 13 are not displacing the rod 69. The lug 16 projects through -a slot 17 in the arm '56. Al a-teral prop 18 is provided on the arm 56 and has a notch '19 which, as the arm 56 swings from the taking position into the giving position, catches the weft and, when the arm 56 has nearly reached the giving position cooperates with the jaws '65 and 66 to hold the weft ,extended'between a jaw 33an d a jaw 31 in a position where the Jams 33 and 31 cannot fail to grip it. On the instant after the weft has been gripped by the jaws 33 and 31, the rod arrives under "the action of the cam 13, which by opening the jaw 66 releases the weft from the jaws 6'5 and 66. Immediately thereupon a rise I 34' provided on the cam 62 .operates on the rod 6| to rotate the vshaft 51 sufficiently .to rock the arm 56 into a position where its jaw andprop parts are out of the .path of rotation of the jaws 3 3 and 31 'ztmtdgherebyleave the jaws .33and 31 free to hem- I To present atthe feed station. a leadingend of weft to the jaws 65 and 66 ,of each coiler [6 in turn once during .each revolution of each coiler, there is a pluralityof verticallslides, preferably. more than there are coilers, for example T12 slides. These are indicated by referencenumeralsflll, 8], 82,183, 84,.85, 86,81, 88, 89,790 and 9| respectively, seeFigure 4, andare guidedseparrately from each other by guide wheels, of which some are shownand markedrfiz. in .Figure3, The said slides are connected by .pivota1.links93 separately to twelve levers Bleach of which is separately pivoted as at 55 and separately" connected by a universal joint toa rod 96. .Fig ure3 shows 4 of these rods. Each rod :96 LFigure 13) is connected by a universal joint toaseparate lever 9! fulcrummedat 98 and havin a roller 93 whichis actedon by a separate cam' J60 to lift the slides '80 to '91 up'and down separately. The cams I00 are connected together in'angularly staggeredpositions andgare rotated synchronoi sly at a slower speed than the main shaft 4,by means of acorn.- pound spur wheel l'lll meshing .with a spur wheel 102 on-the shaft 1 and with a spur wheel loacdnnectedto'the cams and rotatably mounted on the 9 stand 3. The cams I cause every slide to perform the same rising and falling motions, but due to the angular staggering of the cams, the slides follow one another.

The guide wheels 92 are provided on an upper and a lower bracket I04 carried by a stationary post I05. Each slide 60 to SI extends below the lower bracket I04 and has fixed to its lower end a foot I06, Figure 3. Each foot has suspended from it by two pivotal links I01 a pick-up strip I08 having at one end a roller I09 and to the other end a fixed jaw I35 and a movable jaw IIO. Each pick-up strip (Figures 9 and also has a bracket III furnished with an eye II2 through which a different weft supply is threaded. The jaw H0 is on a slide II3 slidable in the strip I08 having a notch H4 engaged by a finger II5 provided on one of the pivotal links I01. The slide Il3 has an enlarged end II6. A compression spring HT is provided between the strip I08 and the end II6 to close the movable jaw IIO by displacing the slide II3 in one direction axially and keep it closed until opened by the finger 5 displacing the slid I I3 axially in the reverse direction. The leading end of a different supply of weft carried by a stationary part extends in a stretched state between the eye H2 and jaws I35 and H0 which grip the said end as the strip I06 arrives at the pick-up station 64. Each strip I08 arrives at the said station in turn as-the foot I06 carrying the same arrives at the top of its rise. As the foot approaches the said top, a slide II8, see also Figures 11 and 12, slidably mounted on the foot, I06 and having a stud II9 is prevented from rising due to obstruction of the stud He by 'the lower bracket I04. The slide H8 is connected by a pivotal link I to one of the links I01 andconsequently the said link I0! is made to'swing in clockwise direction and thereby advance the strip into the position in which the uppermost strip I08 is shown in Figure 3, and in which therefore the stretched weft is atthe pick-up station. Whilst the strip isin that position, the jaws 65, 66 grip the leading end and convey it'in the hereinbefore described manner to the giving position, whereupon the said end is gripped by two of the jaws 33, 31 and carried by thecoiler I6 round the axis of the shaft 4. As the strip I08 nears its fully advanced position, the finger II5 operates the slide I I3 to open the jaw I I0 andthereby release the said leading weft end from the jaws I35 and IIO, but not until the said end has been engagedand gripped by the jaws 65, 66.

nsthe coiler I6 descends in its revolution round the axis of the main shaft 4, the respective cam I00 causes the foot I06 to fall so that the strip I08 reaches its, lowermost position, which is the position of the lowermost strip shown in Figure 3. Whilst the strip descends, it is kept in its advanced position by a spring-loaded catch I2I engaging a recess I22 in the foot. I06. After the strip Iflfl has arrived at its lowermost position the said cam I00 causes the foot I06 to continue its fall, but the downward movement of the strip I08 is arrested by a stationary abutment I23 which supports the roller I09 of the strip. Consequently the links I01 are rotated in anticlockwise direction and the strip I08 is retracted, the catch: I2I being forced out ofthe recess I22 and the'slide I I8 being pushed upwards until the stud projects above the foot I06 and the catch I2I engages a recess 'I24'and therefore yieldably locks the strip in the retracted position. The foot I06 thereupon is raised by its cam I 00 and raises the acoaooe -10 strip I08 whilst in the withdrawn position back to its initial uppermost position. Because the ascending strips I08 are in the withdrawn position whilst they are rising, they do not foul any of the descending strips I08. As each strip I08 is reaching its uppermost position it is advanced by stoppage of its stud H9 in the hereinbefore described manner. In Figure 3 the second lower strip shown is in the retracted position and in the act of rising.

Each coiler I6 acquires at the pick-up station the leading end of adifferent weft supply from a different strip I08. The weft runs through the eye H2 and is not severed until somewhat more than a suiiicient amount of weft for one pick has passed through the eye, by which time the strip I00 has descended to its lowermost position and a deflector (not shown) has deflected the weft which is near the eye into a path where it again extends between the jaws I35 and H0 and the jaw IIO has gripped it, the weft being thereupon;

severed by a cutter (not shown) provided near the said jaws, and the severance forming a fresh leading end held ready to be taken by the jaws 65, 66 of another coiler I6 when the strip again arrives at the pick-up station 64. Because there are more strips than coilers, there is alwaysa' strip presenting a weft end at the pick-up station to every coiler I6 after the coiler has been relieved of its charge of coiled weft. Because the 'strips' are arranged radially in plan view they are able to'advance to the pick-up station in turn and recede Without obstructing one another.

If different colours or kinds of weft are to be woven into the warp, each foot I06 has a series of feed strips separately hung on it. side byside and controlled by a separate advancing mecha-- nism' and drawing its thread from a supply of weft thread of a different colour or kind and a selecting device is provided to advance by means of its advancing mechanism only that strip of" each series which carries the particular kind or colour of weft thread required in the production of the desired fabric. Furthermore, if desired, two or more wefts, instead of the single weft hereinbefore referred to, may be supplied simultaneously by the strip and fed to andcoiled simultaneously on the row of prongs 36 and be then simultaneously transferred to the shuttle I.

The total length of weft coils wound on each coiler at each coiling is dependent on the diamto initiate and stop the coiling at other appropriate moments. Conveniently and therefore preferably, the cams I2, I3 and 44 are adjustable for the purpose. For example, as shown in Figures? and 8, the lift 52 of the cam I3 may be on a separate adjustable arcuate horn I25 which is offset axially relative to the non-adjustable portion of the cam and is carried by a ring segment I26 which also carries an arcuate horn I21 forming anaxially displaced continuation of the cam I2.

The ring segment I26 also has arcuate horns I28 and I29 respectively, of which I28 has the lift 53 of the cam 44. The arcuate horns I28 and I29 form axially displaced continuations of the nonadjustable portion of the cam 44. The cam surfaces of the cams I2, I3 and I4 are, continued across the face of the segment I26. -A recess I30 is provided in which thesegment I26 can slide. The segment I26 is shown in that position of ad 11 iestmrt h ive e m m. oun of coiled weft on each doilerJ By angular displacement of thesegment I26 in clockwise direction, the lifts 52 mesa are displaced angularly in clockwise direction and therefore temporary stoppage 'of the main arm IStb'y means of the lift whilst'the drive of the rows of prongs 36 is in itiated by means of the lift 53 is delayed 'so that the boiling period or run of the coiler I6 is reduced. To hold the segment [26 in the adjusted position, it may have a spring catch l3'l'accommediated in a slot I32 in'the stand 3 andadapted tobe engaged with any of a plurality of spaced recesses [33in order to retain the segment I26 in one of a plurality of different positions of adjustment. The recesses I33 are so spaced that the saidlifts can operate only when the sleeve 2'! is inan angular position in which the lugs 24 register with the spaces between the lugs 28. This is possible because the sleeve is driven positively and'the positions in which the lugs register with the gaps are substantially invariable.

' It is to be understood that coiling and transfer apparatus according to the said invention can be employed not only in conjunction with the hereinbefore described circular weaving arrangemerit, but, with suitable changes in position or posture or suitable minor modifications in construction where necessary, can be employed in conjunction with circular Weaving looms wherein the warp is cylindrical and circular Weaving looms wherein the warp is divided into separate parts, and circular looms wherein a separate piece of weft threaded is inserted by a single shuttle or each shuttle at each passage through a onepart or divided Warp, or circular looms wherein a single shuttle or each shuttle is furnished at each replenishment with sufiicient weft thread to; enable weft threadto be woven in during two or more passages of the shuttle through a onepart or divided warp. I r

In an alternative, the inner and outer control cams l2 and I3 and other appropriate parts may be modified so that the revolution of therow of prongs 36 about the axis of the main shaft l neither stops nor slows down during the feedof yarn from a strip |08to the said row. I

I claim:

1. Af weft replenishing apparatus for circular looms, comprising shuttles travelling along a circular path in unidirection, Weft coilers, mea n s for constraining the weft coilers to follow a predetermined closed path at one part of which the weft coilers successively register substantially with the shuttles, means for driving the weft coilers at substantially the same speed as the shuttles whilst the weft coilers are registering substantially with the shuttles, and means for slipping Weft coils from the coilers whilst the weft coilers are in register substantially with and being driven at substantially the same'speed as the shuttles. V

2. A Weft replenishing apparatus for replenishing the shuttles of circular looms with weft, comprising weft coilers which move along a circular path, means for moving the weft coilers along the circular path, said path at one part leading to weft coils into engagement with parts of the shuttles for providing opportunities for the transfer of weft coils from the Weft coilers to the said parts of the shuttles.

3, A weft replenishing apparatus for replenishing the shuttles of circular looms with weft, comprising weft coilers which move along a closed and at a point in the said path register substantially with the shuttles, means for moving the weft coilers along the said path at a varying speed which is at a maximum whilst the weft coilers are at the said point, and a weft carrier provided on each shuttle, each weft coiler being immediately above one of the weft carriers at the point of registration for slipping weft coils downwards from the weft coiler on to a weft carrier whilst the coiler and shuttle are travelling along their paths.

4. A weft replenishing apparatus for replenishing the shuttles of circularlooms with weft, com-v prising weft coilers which come periodically into register with the shuttles. and weft carriers on the shuttles, each weft carrier and coiler being in engagement one partly within the other at the moment at which weft coils are slippedfrom the weft coiler on to the 'weft carrier, for maintaining full control over the coils during the slipping operation.

5. A weft replenishing apparatus for replenishing the shuttles of circular looms with weft, comprising weft coilers, means for driving the weft coilers along a closed path, means for rotating each weft coiler about its axis whilst it is drivenv along its closed path, a shuttle path which leads each shuttle into a position of momentary registration with a Weft coiler, the rotation of the weft coilers being for winding coils of weft on to the ing the weft coilers along the closed path at an increased speed during periods of transfer of weft from the weft coilers to the shuttles, and means for transferring weft coils from the weft coilers to the shuttles.

7;. A weft replenishing apparatusfor replenishing the shuttles of circular looms with Weft, comprising weft coilers, means for driving the weft, coilers along a closed path, means for rotating the 'weft coilers intermittently about their axes, holding means for holding the leading ends of supplies of Weft in an accessible position, means for transferring the said leading ends from the holding means to the weft coilers, jaws on the weft coilers for gripping the leading ends and thereby temporarily attaching them to the weft coilers for coiling coilsof weft on the weft coilers whilst they rotate about their axes, and means on the weft coilers for pushing the said coils of weft off the weft coilers whilst the weft coilers are in register with the shuttles.

8. A weft replenishing apparatus for replenishing the shuttles of circular looms with weft, comprising weft coilers, means-for driving the weft coilers along a closed path, weft holdingdevicesfor temporarily and alternately holding pieces of weft by their leading ends, guiding thesaid pieces and holding the said pieces by their trailing ends,

a mechanism on each weft coiler for grippingone of said leading ends and conveying said end to the weft coiler, a gripping mechanism on each weft coiler for gripping the conveyed leading end, means for rotating each .weft coiler for coiling,

some of the piece on to itself in coils, and means for effecting a transference of the said coils from the weft coiler to one of the. shuttles.

9. A weft replenishing apparatus for .replenishing the shuttles of circularloomsrwith weft, comprising a series of weft holding, presenting-end,

guiding mechanisms each for a weft from a different supply, coilers for coiling the presented wefts into coils, discharging means on the coilers for discharging the weft coils from the coilers on to the shuttles, the said mechanisms holding the weft until a portion thereof has been woven in by the loom.

10. A weft replenishing apparatus for replenishing the shuttles of circular looms with weft, comprising weft coilers, means for driving the weft coilers along a closed path which con strains each coiler in turn to register with a shuttle, a weft presenting mechanism which presents the leading end of weft, a swinging feed mechanism for taking the said leading end from the place of its presentation by the weft presenting mechanism and feeding the said leading end to the coiler, and a gripping device on the coiler for gripping the said leading end and thereby connecting it to the coiler.

11. A weft replenishing apparatus for replenishing the shuttles of circular looms with weft, wherein there are weft coilers driven along a closed path, an annular row of prongs provided on each coiler for winding weft into coils thereon, a pusher on each coiler for pushing coils of weft off the said row of prongs, and there is a carrier on each shuttle for receiving the coils of weft pushed off the said row of prongs.

12. A weft replenishing apparatus for replenishing the shuttles of circular looms with weft, comprising weft coilers, an annular row of adjustable prongs on each coiler for winding weft into coils on the said row, and means for adjusting the said prongs for changing the diameter of the said row and therefore the length of the coils wound on the said row.

13. A weft replenishing apparatus for replenishing the shuttles of a circular loom with weft, comprising coiling members, a circular path along which the coiling members are movable, means for driving the coiling members along the circular path, an annular row of coiling prongs provided on each coiling member and rotatable about its own axis, a driving member provided on each coiling member, a gear wheel connected to the driving member, a stationary annular row of teeth in constant mesh with the gear wheel, a pushing member for rotating the annular row of coiling prongs about its own axis and also for pushing weft coils off the said row, a slidable coupling member for coupling the driving member to the pusher and thereby causing the row of prongs to be rotated about its own axis and a stationary cam for operating the coupling member.

14. A weft replenishing apparatus for replenishing the shuttles of circular looms with weft, comprising a weft coiler movable along a circular path at one point of which the coiler can register with a shuttle, means for driving the weft coiler along the said path, an annular row of prongs forming part of the weft coiler and rotatable about its own axis, a driving and pushing member slidable on the coiler, a stationary annular toothed track, a gear wheel meshing with the said track, a locking part on the coiler which is not rotatable about the said axis, and means on the driving and pushing member for making in one position of the said member a driving connection between the gear wheel and the row of prongs and means on the driving and pushing member for making in another position of the said member a connection between the driving and pushing member and the locking part and thereby locking the row of prongs against rota= tion.

15. A weft replenishing apparatus for replenishing the shuttles of circular looms with weft, comprising weft coilers separate from the shuttles but adapted to register with the shuttles at a predetermined place in the path of the shuttles, pairs of gripper jaws on each weft coiler for gripping the leading end of a weft supply, a movable part carrying the first jaw of each pair, spring means loading the said movable part, a pusher carrying the second jaw of each pair for pushing the second jaws against the first jaws and thereby gripping the said leading end whilst the pusher performs a stage of its pushing movement, and for separating the second jaws from the first jaws and thereby releasing the said leading end during a later stage of its pushing movement.

16. A weft replenishing apparatus for replenishing the shuttles of circular looms with weft, comprising a stationary cam, a coiler movable along a circular path at one part of which the coiler is in register with a shuttle, a pusher on the coiler, a coiler driving sleeve on the coiler, a lever driven along with the coiler and acted on by the stationary cam for disconnecting the pusher from the driving sleeve and thereby ceasing to rotate the coiler, and means for returning the lever to its initial position when the said cam ceases to act on the lever.

17. A weft replenishing apparatus for replenishing the shuttles of circular looms with weft, comprising a plurality of weft coilers movable along a circular path for coiling weft on to them, arms for driving the coilers along the said circular path, levers connecting said arms to a driving disc, driving means for rotating the weft coilers about their own axes, means for conmeeting and disconnecting the said driving means, a stationary cam for stopping the journey of each coiler round its circular path whilst the driving means are connected and a stationary cam for again stopping the journey of each coiler whilst the driving means are disconnected prior to the transfer of weft coils to a shuttle.

18. A weft replenishing apparatus for supplying weft to the shuttles of circular looms without stoppage of the said shuttles, comprising a plurality of intermittently revolving weft coiling devices which move into register with the shuttles for enabling weft coils to be deposited from the coilers on to the shuttles, driving mechanisms operated by the revolution of the coiling devices and rotating the coiler mechanisms intermittently about their own axes for winding weft on to the coilers, means for feeding weft to the coilers, cam means for varying the speed of revolution of the coilers, adjustable cam means for varying the periods of operation of the driving mechanisms which rotate the coiling mechanisms about their own axes and thereby varying the length of weft coiled on by the coiling mechanisms.

HENRY JAMES COOPER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Dreyfus et al. June 2, 1936' 

